Bradley Wiggins proud of Paris-Roubaix efforts
Sir Bradley Wiggins says he's pleased with his ride at the 2015 Paris-Roubaix, despite falling short in his last ride for Team Sky

Sir Bradley Wiggins rode away from the velodrome after Paris-Roubaix and his Team Sky career with his head held high. He did not win the French Classic, but said his attack was the stuff of his boyhood dreams when growing up in London.
Rivals marked Wiggins move on the Templeuve sector with 33km left to race, but he marked the day. He also attacked again with around 4km remaining and held on to finish 18th in Roubaix's famous velodrome.
"When I attacked, I was right up the back of the motorbikes and it was like I was 16 again, training on the mews outside my house, thinking I was it," Wiggins said.
"That was nice. Something to tell the kids. 'Your Dad was s**t at Paris-Roubaix, but he was leading it at one stage. Well, not leading it, but leading the main group.'"
Welsh team-mate Luke Rowe finished eighth, Britain and Sky's best placed rider after Geraint Thomas crashed and abandoned earlier in the race.
German John Degenkolb (Giant-Alpecin) won the race, his second monument of the year after Milan-San Remo. Rowe finished right behind Degenkolb's group and Wiggins was in the next group at 31 seconds.
End of an era: How Wiggins and Sky created history
Wiggins tried to shake his rivals, but found little cooperation with Jens Debusschere (Lotto-Soudal), and Etixx - Quick-Step's Stijn Vandenbergh and Zdenek Stybar.
"I was pleased with the race, you know? Just to be able to attack in Roubaix. I had a go where I told the team this morning I was going to have a go," added Wiggins.
"I was in a pretty good position. No one really expected it there. I was just lumbered with a few people who didn't want to work. I think the right winner won, in John, but it was a bit soft in the final. It wasn't one of the classic [editions of] Roubaix. It was all a bit 'looking at each other', a bit soft. It would have been nice to have a bit of a [Franco] Ballerini from 20 years ago.”
Wiggins said that he had the legs to win the 'Queen of the Classics’ today, but admitted his rivals in the lead group were also looking strong.
"Yeah I did. I think everyone in that group did," added Wiggins.
"I said on the bus that when I went it was a bit, like, panic stations. I guess that's a bit of the hype, you know, when you say you are up for it. It is what it is. But I'm just pleased with the way the race went personally."
The 2012 Tour de France winner ended a five-year run with Sky on Sunday. He will turn to the track again, focusing on the Hour Record in June and the 2016 Olympics.
http://timeInc.brightcove.com.edgesuite.net/rtmp_uds/26996914001/201504/2919/26996914001_4166957647001_4166795494001.mp4
An exclusive look at Geraint Thomas's Pinarello K8-S
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
-
Former Tour de France yellow jersey wearer to ride Unbound Gravel
Unbound 200 contestants will be joined by a gravel newcomer of note this year. Former Tour de France race leader Jan Bakelants is joining in on the fray.
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
POC Ventral Tempus MIPS Review - A helmet for riding in the rain, and being seen
Bright, light and comfortable, but not cheap
By Tyler Boucher • Published
-
Seven tech insights spotted at Paris-Roubaix 2023
From tyre pressure systems to old-school chainrings, here's what Cycling Weekly saw at the race
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers rider runs half marathon after finishing Paris-Roubaix
Cameron Wurf is a triathlete, so it's unfair really. He is not the first cyclist to dabble with trainers, however
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tweets of the week: Cobbles, barbecues, and what on earth is curry ketchup?
Strap in for our pre-Paris-Roubaix round-up of social media's finest
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Bradley Wiggins says he suffered ‘borderline rape’ during three years of 'abuse' by coach
Speaking on Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast, Wiggins says he now “hates cycling” and only ever used the sport as a distraction
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Why goats are helping ready Paris-Roubaix's cobbles for spring
Cared for by a local charity, a herd of goats are enjoying their new duties in the Forest of Arenberg
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Bradley Wiggins might not be a TV pundit for much longer: 'I just want a normal job really'
Tour de France champion says that he doesn't still want to be on Eurosport in 10 years, and he thought about being a social worker
By Adam Becket • Published
-
CW Live: Chris Froome targets return to 'top level'; UCI tightens ITT rules; Strava responds to price hike criticism; Topless protesters arrested at TDU; Tributes paid to Lieuwe Westra; Scott recalls 'cracking' bikes; Toon Aerts the PE teacher
The latest news in the world of cycling
By Tom Davidson • Last updated
-
Bradley Wiggins: Abuse contributed to making me a great cyclist
The Tour de France winner is part of a new NSPCC campaign to help people spot the signs of child abuse
By Adam Becket • Published